Sheet music stand helper

ABSTRACT

A music-stand-fitting removable sleeve or clipped-on device that fits over a music stand, of the type used to display sheet music for a musician, which performs the purpose of holding music, books, papers, or writing implements via additional securing devices and pockets. The Sheet Music Stand Helper is a removable sleeve or clipped-on device which fits over the top of a music stand, which has one or more pockets in the back for holding sheet music and/or writing implements, transparent pockets in the front, for holding viewable sheet music, and a vertical strap in the middle to secure music to the Sheet Music Stand Helper, with fabric under the strap to muffle snapping sound should the securing strap be snapped.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to music stands of the type used bymusicians to hold sheet music securely and additional sheet music,books, papers, or writing implements on the stand so as to be readilyavailable when needed. The Sheet Music Stand Helper can be placed on andremoved from an existing music stand and can be packed and transportedas a self-contained structure. Alternatively, its features might beattached to and be part of a complete music stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whenever the inventor moved her stand or even bumped into it, all hermusic would come fluttering off the stand. This caused her to considerhow she might keep the music from falling off her stand.

Although this invention will be described with reference to use bymusicians, it will be evident that the invention can be used by anyonewho wishes to secure papers or books to a music stand, or who wishes tohave additional papers or books handy for use.

Musicians use music stands to display two or three sheets of music whilethe musicians play various instruments. Music stands usually allow forresting of sheet music on a lip, secured by gravity holding the sheetsagainst the back and lip of the stand. Bumps into the stand or theplacement of too many sheets against the stand would cause the music tofall off the stand or otherwise be displaced. Further, additional musicwhich may be needed is not always readily available, having to be storedin a separate bag or carrying case and searched for and removed whenneeded.

A structure which secures music in use to the stand and which holdsadditional music to be readily available when needed would be helpful tothe user of the music stand.

As a result of these design criteria, it would be advantageous if anexisting music stand had a portable sleeve, which could be slipped orclipped onto it, which could secure music to it while in use and couldhold additional sheets or books for ready availability when needed. Thesleeve or device could be removed and easily carried with the user towherever needed.

Description of Related Art

Previous music stand accessories provided means of holding various smallitems, none of which did so via the back of a music stand.

Other previous music stand accessories accommodated parts of musicalinstruments to be hung from the stand via various attachments.

No prior inventions combine the features of transparent and mechanicalsecuring of sheet music to the music stand, music book storagecompartments, and more general accessory storage all on the music stand.As described above, this functionality will be greatly appreciated bymusicians and others wishing to use music stands to hold various papersand writing implements in a secure and orderly manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Sheet Music Stand Helper is a fabric sleeve the user can slip overthe top of a music stand. It has two clear plastic pockets, one on theright and one on the left sides of the sleeve's front, for sheet music(or other papers) to be slid into. The plastic pockets are notched toallow easy insertion and removal of papers. Separating the two plasticpockets is an elastic strap. The elastic will hold music books or sheetmusic (or other papers) in place if you slide the center of the bookunder the elastic. The felt (or other) material under the elastic willmuffle the sound if someone snaps the elastic against the Sheet MusicStand Helper. Last, the Sheet Music Stand Helper will hold additionalbooks, music, papers, or writing implements in a special pocket (orpockets) on the back of the sleeve.

The sleeve might alternatively be constructed of felt, vinyl,flannel-backed vinyl, cloth, or stiff fabric, or of any other suitablematerial. The Sheet Music Stand Helper might alternatively be clippedon, rather than slid on, and composed of plastic, vinyl, metal,composite material, Lucite, cardboard, or of any other suitablematerial. The Sheet Music Stand Helper might alternatively be attachedas a hinged, stiff, front and back device, utilizing a clip, clasp,Velcro, snap, flap, tie, magnetic, or some other securing device, andhaving its body composed of plastic, vinyl, metal, composite material,Lucite, cardboard, or some other stiff or suitable material. Anotheralternative would be to have some sides secured via one of the securingmethods mentioned and have another side or sides secured by zipper.Alternatively, the entire envelope might be secured to the music standby zipper. Alternatively, the Sheet Music Stand Helper might consistonly of the front of the described invention or of only the back of thedescribed invention, utilizing a suitable securing device to attach itto the music stand.

The Sheet Music Stand Helper might have 2 or more center straps on thefront, instead of only one. Alternatively, the strap(s) might be made ofcord, rope, string, woven material or of vinyl, or any other suitablematerial, secured by Velcro, snaps, clips, buckles, ties, magnet(s), orby any other suitable securing method. The Sheet Music Stand Helpermight alternatively utilize a metal clip, a magnetic apparatus, or anarm, made of metal, plastic or some other material, that swings downfrom a hinge, to secure books or papers, in lieu of the elasticstrap(s).

Alternatively, under the strap(s) or securing apparatus, quilted fabric,plastic foam rubber, fabric, or any other material, preferablysound-dampening, might be used, instead of felt.

Alternatively, the transparent pockets on the front might be made of asemi-transparent plastic, sheer or non-sheer fabric rather than theclear plastic. Alternatively, the transparent pockets on the front mightbe made of nylon mesh, or of any other suitable transparent,semi-transparent, or opaque material. These pockets might utilize somemethod other than a notch to allow easy insertion or removal of papers;they might utilize a hole in the middle of each sheet, or the top edgeof the plastic sheet might be cut at a diagonal, or the top edge mightbe cut in the shape of a ‘v’, a wavy design at the top, or a zipperacross the top, or some other suitable design, to allow easy grasping ofthe papers held within.

Alternatively, the Sheet Music Stand Helper might have no transparentpockets on it, with only the strap(s) on its front to secure books orpapers to it.

The Sheet Music Stand Helper might have zero, two, three, four, or morepockets on the back of it.

The Sheet Music Stand Helper might have zero, one, two, three, four, ormore pockets on the front of it.

The Sheet Music Stand Helper might also have loops attached to its sidesto allow the clipping on of writing implements to it. Alternatively, itmight have pockets attached to its sides to allow the holding of writingimplements. Additionally or alternatively, it might have either loops orpockets attached to its back to specifically allow the holding ofwriting implements. Additionally or alternatively, it might have asimple, smaller pocket(s) attached to the larger pocket on the back ofit to allow the holding of writing implements or small objects.

The Sheet Music Stand Helper might be comprised of all of its featuresor of some of them.

The Sheet Music Stand Helper might also be constructed as featurespermanently attached to a whole music stand.

All variations in implementation of the concept of an added on sleeve orattachment to an existing music stand, to facilitate the above featureson a music stand are covered by this patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of the front of a Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand according to the invention and shown in a condition ready for use;

FIG. 2 is a view of the back of a Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand according to the invention and shown in a condition ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper;

FIG. 4 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper;

FIG. 5 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand with labeled parts and features, and shown being used to holdmusic via front elastic and back pocket;

FIG. 6 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand with labeled parts and features, and shown being used to holdmusic via transparent plastic pockets;

FIG. 7 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand with labeled parts and features, and shown holding music books andpapers in its back pocket;

FIG. 8 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper at anangle from the bottom with labeled parts and features.

FIG. 9 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper with allits individual parts shown separated and labeled, with arrows indicatingplacement in relation to each of the other parts.

FIG. 10 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper with allits individual parts shown separated and labeled, with arrows indicatingplacement in relation to each of the other parts:

FIG. 11 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper shown inFIG. 10, with an alternate implementation of FIG. 10 shown separated andlabeled, with arrows indicating placement in relation to each of theother parts.

FIG. 12 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper shown inFIG. 10, with an alternate implementation of FIG. 10 shown separated andlabeled, with arrows indicating placement in relation to each of theother parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a music-stand -fitting removable sleeve orclipped-on device that fits over a music stand, of the type used todisplay sheet music for a musician, which performs the purpose ofholding music, books, papers, or writing implements via additionalsecuring devices and pockets. More particularly, the Sheet Music StandHelper is a removable sleeve or clipped-on device which fits over thetop of a music stand, which has one or more pockets in the back forholding sheet music and/or writing implements, one or more transparentpockets in the front, for holding viewable sheet music, and a verticalstrap in the middle to secure music to the Sheet Music Stand Helper,with fabric under the strap to muffle snapping sound should the securingstrap be snapped.

A preferred embodiment of the Sheet Music Stand Helper is as a quiltedfabric sleeve the user can slip over the top of a music stand. It hastwo clear plastic pockets on the right and the left sides of thesleeve's front, for sheet music (or other papers) to be slid into. Theplastic pockets are notched to allow easy insertion and removal ofpapers. Separating the two plastic pockets is an elastic strap. Theelastic will hold music books or sheet music (or other papers) in placeif you slide the center of the book under the elastic. The felt (orother) material under the elastic will muffle the sound if someone snapsthe elastic against the Sheet Music Stand Helper. Last, the Sheet MusicStand Helper will hold additional books, music, papers, or writingimplements in a special pocket (or pockets) on the back of the sleeve.

A preferred embodiment of the Sheet Music Stand Helper is described.

FIG. 1 is a view of the front of a Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand according to the invention and shown in a condition ready for use.In this figure, the Sheet Music Stand Helper has been slipped over themusic stand and has the following labeled parts and features. Part 1 isthe fabric sleeve that slips over the stand. Part 3 are the plasticpockets used to hold sheet music (or papers) to be viewed through them.Part 4 is the elastic to hold a book securely against the Sheet MusicStand Helper. Part 5 is the felt to muffle the sound of the elastic,should it snap against the Sheet Music Stand Helper. Label 6 is thenotch in the plastic pocket to allow easy removal of sheets in pocket;

FIG. 2 is a view of the back of a Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand according to the invention and shown in a condition ready for use.In this figure, Sheet Music Stand Helper has been slipped over the topof the music stand and has the following labeled parts. Part 1 is thefabric sleeve that slips over the top of the music stand. Part 2 is thepocket to hold music (or papers) on the Sheet Music Stand Helper, forlater use;

FIG. 3 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper. In thisfigure, the Sheet Music Stand Helper has the following labeled parts andfeatures. Part 1 is the fabric sleeve that slips over the stand. Part 3are the transparent plastic pockets used to hold sheet music (or papers)to be viewed through them. Part 4 is the elastic to hold a book securelyagainst the Sheet Music Stand Helper. Part 5 is the felt to muffle thesound of the elastic, should it snap against the Sheet Music StandHelper. Label 6 is the notch in the plastic pocket to allow easy removalof sheets in pocket;

FIG. 4 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper. In thisfigure, the Sheet Music Stand Helper has the following labeled parts.Part 1 is the fabric sleeve that slips over the stand. Part 2 is thepocket to hold music (or papers) on the Sheet Music Stand Helper, forlater use;

FIG. 5 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand with labeled part and features, and shown being used to hold musicvia front elastic and back pocket and has the following labeled parts.Part 4 is the elastic to hold a book securely against the Sheet MusicStand Helper. Label 2 demonstrates music or books held in the pocket inthe back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper ready for use. Label 3demonstrates book held in front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper by meansof the elastic;

FIG. 6 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand with labeled parts and features, and shown being used to holdmusic via transparent plastic pockets and has the following labeledparts. Part 3 is the transparent material to securely hold and allowviewing of music (or sheets of paper);

FIG. 7 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper on a musicstand with labeled parts and features, and shown holding music books andpapers in its back pocket. In this figure, Sheet Music Stand Helper hasthe following labeled parts. Part 1 is the fabric sleeve that slips overthe stand. Part 2 is the pocket to hold music (or papers) on the SheetMusic Stand Helper, for later use;

FIG. 8 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper at anangle from the bottom, showing the opening, labeled 1, at the bottomthat allows it to be slipped onto a music stand.

FIG. 9 is a view of the front of the Sheet Music Stand Helper with allits individual parts shown separated and labeled, with arrows indicatingplacement in relation to each of the other parts. Part 1 is quiltedfabric, folded over and connected at the sides (label 9) via stitchingwith thread, or alternatively, via Velcro, zipper, snaps, buttons,lacing through eyelets, adhesive, magnets, or some other securingmethod, to form an envelope closed on three sides with an opening at thebottom. Alternatively, two or more pieces of fabric sewn together couldbe used to create the envelope shape shown. The shape might also beachieved via leather, suede, vinyl, molded plastic, or any othersuitable material. Part 2 is a transparent plastic sheet through whichpapers underneath can be seen. This is secured to the envelope formedabove, on its right, left, and its bottom, indicated by dashed linelabeled 6; this securing is achieved by stitching with thread, or bybutton fasteners, or by one of the methods that could be used to securethe sides of the fabric envelope. The bottom of the transparent sheet issecured to part 1 only on its front face, to allow the envelope formedto remain open at the bottom. The preferred method of attachment to theenvelope would cover the edges of the plastic so as to conceal edges atthe bottom and the sides; the side and bottom edges of transparent sheetare sewn into the seams of the side and around the bottom of part 1.Alternatively, fabric (or other suitable material) strips positionedover the side and bottom edges of the transparent plastic sheet (part 2)might be attached to parts 1 and 2 to cover the edges of the transparentplastic sheet and attach all three parts to each other. Alternatively,the transparent plastic sheet might be attached with revealed edges.Part 3 is felt, which is secured to the front face of part 1 and to part2 via stitching at the dashed line (label 7) running up and down in itsmiddle. Alternatively, adhesive, staples, or any other suitable securingmethod might secure part 3. Part 4 is elastic, secured at the top andthe bottom (label 8), through parts 3,2, to the front face of part 1,via stitching, adhesive, staples, or any other suitable securing method.

FIG. 10 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper with allits individual parts shown separated and labeled, with arrows indicatingplacement in relation to each of the other parts. A pocket (3) isstitched (5) on the bottom and sides to attach it to the back of theenvelope. The pocket is secured to the face of the back of the envelope,to allow the bottom of the envelope to remain open. Alternatively, thepocket might be secured by adhesive, staples, or via some other suitablesecuring method.

FIG. 11 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper shown inFIG. 10, with an alternate implementation of FIG. 10 shown separated andlabeled, with arrows indicating placement in relation to each of theother parts. Labels 1 and 2 illustrate a series of loops, achieved bysewing a strip of fabric on an area towards the top of the pocket, withalternating portions of the strip sewn against the pocket (label 1), andalternating portions of the strip protruding out (label 2) forming aloop through which a pen clip could attach and hang from. Alternatively,the strip could be attached via adhesive, staples, or some othersuitable securing method.

FIG. 12 is a view of the back of the Sheet Music Stand Helper shown inFIG. 10, with an alternate implementation of FIG. 10 shown separated andlabeled, with arrows indicating placement in relation to each of theother parts. Part 1 illustrates another smaller pocket, the top of whichis wider than the bottom. The bottom and sides are attached viastitching (label 2) and the top is puckered (label 3) and alternatingportions of the smaller pocket are sewn and not sewn, achieving a seriesof smaller pockets in which writing implements might be stored. Thesmaller pocket might be attached by adhesive, staples, or via some othersuitable securing method. Alternatively, the top for the smaller pocketmight be the same length as the bottom and merely be sewn at the bottomand sides, with no additional attachment at the top, to allow storage ofwriting implements, or small objects.

The methods of the present invention can reliably and consistentlyprovide a sheet music-stand helper such as the device illustrated in thepreceding figures.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect tospecific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled inthe art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readilyconceive of alterations to, variations of and equivalents to theseaspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should beassessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

1) A music-stand auxiliary (also referred to as a Music Stand Helper)comprising: A body structure defining a main compartment dimensioned tofit over at least all or a portion of the sheet-bearing part of a musicstand, and with an aperture on at least one side to permit addition toor removal from a music stand, and one or more securing devices to holdone or more items associated with a music stand to it. 2) The MusicStand Helper of claim 1, further comprising one or more storagecompartments each dimensioned to store one or more items associated witha music stand, each said storage compartment having an aperture formedon the exterior of the envelope such that each storage compartment isimmediately and separately accessible from the exterior of the sleeve.3) The Music Stand Helper of claim 2, wherein said items comprise acombination of one or more of the following: sheet music, books, papers,writing implements, instrument accessories, supplies, rosin, parts ofmusical instruments, or clip on lamps, or accessories that arefunctionally related. 4) The Music Stand Helper of claim 3, whereinfunctionally related means replaceability and wherein one of saidstorage compartments is constructed and arranged to store replaceableitems. 5) The Music Stand Helper of claim 1, wherein said body structureis comprised of a fabric sleeve connected on two sides and at the top,with an aperture on the bottom to permit the fitting of the Music StandHelper over music-bearing part of a music stand. 6) The Music StandHelper of claim 5, where connected means held together detachably orpermanently including by one or more of the following means: zippers,buttons, Velcro® fasteners, clips, laces, snaps, clips, or fasteners,stitches, staples, glue, adhesive, elastic, stretchy fabric, or by thefold of a single piece of fabric so folded as to form the front and backof the Music Stand Helper. 7) The Music Stand Helper of claim 1, whereinsaid body structure is comprised in part or entirely of a materialenabling viewing of one or more of the following: the music stand onwhich the Music Stand Helper is placed, materials stored within thecompartments of the Music Stand Helper. 8) The Music Stand Helper ofclaim 1, where securing devices mean transparent material attached tothe front of the Music Stand Helper, covering all or a portion of thefront, with an aperture on at least one side to permit the insertion andremoval of sheets of paper and sheet music. 9) The Music Stand Helper ofclaim 1, where securing devices mean elastic attached at the top and atthe bottom of the front side of the sleeve. 10) The Music Stand Helperof claim 9, where a strip of sound-dampening material is attached to thefront of the main compartment, underneath the elastic. 11) The MusicStand Helper of claim 1, where securing devices mean a strap made ofmaterial including the following: cord, rope, string, ribbon, wovenmaterial, or of vinyl, and that is attached to the Music Stand Helper bymeans including the following: stitching, Velcro®, snaps, clips,buckles, ties, or magnets. 12) The Music Stand Helper of claim 1, wheresecuring devices mean a metal clip or a metal hinged arm or a plastichinged arm. 13) A music-stand auxiliary (also referred to as a MusicStand Helper) comprising: A body structure defining A front and backpanel dimensioned to fit over at least all or a portion of thesheet-bearing part of a music stand and attached at the top by a hingingdevice, and one or more securing devices to hold one or more itemsassociated with a music stand to it, and one or more storagecompartments each dimensioned to store one or more items associated witha music stand, each said storage compartment having an aperture formedon the exterior of the envelope such that each storage compartment isimmediately and separately accessible from the exterior of the sleeve.14) The Music Stand Helper of claim 13, where panel is comprised of oneor more of the following materials, including: molded plastic, vinyl,metal, composite material, acrylic, fabric covered cardboard, vinylcovered cardboard, plastic covered cardboard, or wood. 15) The MusicStand Helper of claim 13, where hinging device means metal or plastichinge, fabric hinge, binder-type rings, a molded hinge integrallyattached in the manufacture of the front and back panels. 16) The MusicStand Helper attached to the music-bearing portion of a complete musicstand, comprising: a music stand a body structure defining a maincompartment dimensioned to fit over at least all or a portion of thesheet-bearing part of the music stand, attached to the music-bearingportion of the music stand by stand by permanent or semi-permanent meansincluding tape, straps, elastic, ties, Velcro® fasteners, glue,adhesive, bolts, welding, or some suitable adhesive, and one or moresecuring devices to hold sheet music, papers, or books to it and one ormore storage compartments each dimensioned to store one or more itemsassociated with a music stand, each said storage compartment having anaperture formed against the back of the sheet-bearing portion of a musicstand, such that each storage compartment is immediately and separatelyaccessible from the back of the music stand. 17) The Music Stand Helperof claim 16 where the main compartment is formed as an integralcomponent of the music stand.